OT drywall repair

Heyseed · Feb 7, 2011

I"m fixing up and painting my dad"s place and some of the seams on the drywall have cracked and split. Some places you can see the tape outline for a few feet or more. Any tips on how to go about re mudding these seams. Do I need to peel out the old tape? If i do do I need to grind back the old mud so I can feather it out? I want it to look right and would prefer the least amount of labor. Painting alone will be a few days of work.
thanks.

Zachary Hoyt · Feb 7, 2011

This may not be 'kosher' but I learned drywall from a man who did make it look good. When I am replacing tape I always tear out the old, and the easiest way for me is to replace it with the mesh tape. Then you don't have to widen out the torn up area because the mud goes right through the tape.
Zach

Jason the Red · Feb 7, 2011

Zachary is on the right path. If it is only the joints that are cracking, just tear out the old paper tape and replace with yellow mesh. Be sure to get the first coat of mud into the mesh well. That will more than likely take care of cracks if they are only due to a poor tape job the first go round. If there is a bigger underlying problem, such as settling of the foundation or a joint that is broken vertically up the side of a door, more than likely the joint will just crack out again until the source of the problem is fixed.

Heyseed · Feb 7, 2011

thanks guys, I was thinking along those lines. I may trim the new mesh tape a little narrower so it will fit in the old tape bed.

Zachary Hoyt · Feb 7, 2011

That sounds like a good idea. I like to stick it up and then cut off the excess with a utility knife. I find I cut better if I say 'Arrrrr' in a piratical tone when cutting. This is also true for tyvek and tar paper in my experience.
Zach

Geo-TH,In · Feb 8, 2011

Part of your problem may be the way the drywall was hung. I was taught to never put a seam above a door or window, because this is where a crack will develope. Menards sells durabond in a brown bag. It is a power that you mix with water. Once this drys, it is water proof, almost as hard as cement and extremely difficult to sand. That is why most people use the durabond in a white bag. This power is sometimes called speed set because it can set 20 minutes. I like to use 90 minute set, because I'm slow.

Open up the cracks with a drummel tool or something. Remove all the tape you can. Fill the cracks with durabond and cover the crack with wet tape. I would put another thin coat of durabond over the tape before using mixed mud from a 5 gallon bucket for the final applications. You may need to make your final applications with a 12 in knife to keep from seeing the seam.

LOL
George

Lamar Fudd · Feb 8, 2011

Is it real drywall tape? I bought a newly remodled house many years ago and the drywall 'tape' did just that. Turned out the 'remodeler' used masking tape! It shrank and the joints opened up. Some exterior walls actually started peeling down the walls, drywall mud and all.

OT drywall repair

Heyseed

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Zachary Hoyt

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Jason the Red

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Heyseed

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Zachary Hoyt

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Geo-TH,In

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Lamar Fudd

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